Page 148 of Courting the Dragon Prince

“Here. Have a look at the two of them!” the grand warden said, her voice clear and unslurred. She sat upright as she held open her locket. One side of the locket held a portrait of Onyx. The other side, Tourmaline.

Onyx took a step further into the room. This was the most alert Onyx had seen his mother in years. He looked at the table. No empty glasses of lysithea tea could be seen. And no servant waited with a pot, ready to pour.

Luther leaned in close to examine the portraits. “They were very cute.”

“They were. I had these miniatures painted when they were about to leave for the Mystic Mountain Temple.” His mother turned the portraits towards her so she could see them. “When Tourmaline was old enough to go away for her training, they begged to go together.”

She smiled. “It seemed wrong to separate them when they were so close. So I allowed Onyx to go with her, even though he was too young.” She chuckled. “My advisers did not agree with me. But I liked the idea that they had each other as they faced the world away from Limestone Castle. Especially because of the war.”

The grand warden slid her fingers over the portraits. “Onyx must miss her so much.”

Onyx’s heart convulsed painfully in his chest.

He’d never spoken to his mother about how he’d felt about losing Tourmaline. When Tourmaline had died, he’d been at war. When he’d returned, his mother had been too far gone with her grief and too deep in her cups of lysithea tea to notice his attempts to talk to her about anything.

And here she was, appearing to be sober and talking to Luther.

“He does miss her,” Luther said. “Very much.”

“It is good you are here for him, then.” The grand warden inhaled deeply. “I have not been a good mother to him. Or a good grand warden. I have lost so much of myself.”

“Grief can have that effect on us.” Luther smiled sadly at Onyx’s mother.

She nodded. “I’d like to try and be better, a better mother and a better grand warden. I’d like to try …” She trailed off, still staring back down at the portraits.

“It can be hard when you’ve been lost for so long to the darkness and grief,” Luther said.

Onyx didn’t know if Luther spoke about himself or Onyx’s mother.

“You’re right.” His mother sighed. She closed the locket.

“I guess all we can do is try to get better.” Luther paused. “To improve bit by bit and trust that one day we’ll be a version of ourselves that will be better. That’s my hope anymore.”

His mother nodded. She let out a shaky breath, eyes glistening. “I’m glad Onyx married you. I’m sure you’ll do him a world of good.”

Onyx’s throat tightened. He should probably say something and not be lurking, but he couldn’t find his voice. All his emotions had swelled up inside him, choking him, making him unable to speak, breathe, or move a millimetre.

“I’m glad I married Onyx too.” Luther smiled. “Your son is wonderful. He has already done me more good than I deserve.”

“I doubt that.” The grand warden took his hand. “I think you deserve far more than you think, Luther. You are a kind man.”

“No.” Luther shook his head, trying to tug his hand back as if he couldn’t accept the simple praise.

But his mother held Luther’s hand firm. “You are. And I am glad you are part of our family, Luther.” She released his hand. “I am going to retire to my room for the evening.” She stood. “Good night.”

“Good night, Grand Warden,” Luther replied.

She held up a hand. “Amber, please. We’re family.”

Luther smiled. “Good night, Amber.”

Then his mother turned and looked directly at Onyx, her eyes clearer than he’d seen them in years. She walked towards him. Onyx felt his face burn at being caught eavesdropping.

“Good night, son.” She placed her hands on his shoulders.

Onyx’s throat tightened. “Good night, Mother.”

She stared at him. “I …” She hesitated. “I will be better. I will try, at least.” Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you.”